A Tribe Called Quest “Midnight Marauders” LP

The album A Tribe Called Quest wanted to make from the very beginning. It’s their most even, consistent album of the original trilogy that also includesPeople’s Instinctive Travels… and The Low End Theory. But in spite of this, or maybe because of it, it’s also their most uninteresting. With so many competent tracks, there’s no chance for something to stand out above the pack, like “Scenario” did on Low End Theory or “Can I Kick It” did on People’s Instinctive Travels. The celebration is there (“Stir It Up”), the jazz drums kick (“Oh My God”), and the stand-up bass dribbles, keeping perfect pace with Q-Tip’s unmistakable mic-touch (“Electric Relaxation”). There’s even a Native Tongues armistice/reunion with de la Soul (“Awards Tour”). Although it comes together like a seamless tutorial in jazz hip-hop style, it comes together so damn well that it’s hard for any one track to excel, cursing the album with consistent quality.

Tracklist

1 Midnight Marauders Tour Guide
2 Steve Biko (Stir It Up)
3 Award Tour
4 8 Million Stories
5 Sucka N*gga
6 Midnight
7 We Can Get Down
8 Electric Relaxation
9 Clap Your Hands
10 Oh My God
11 Keep It Rollin’
12 Chase, Pt. 2
13 Lyrics to Go
14 God Lives Through